​To Rebecca Hauger of Sweet Spot in Chandler, AZ, cake is beyond yummy; it’s a piece of art! “Wedding cake sculptures haven’t gotten too crazy yet,” she explained. “But it’s starting to go that direction.” Rebecca is seeing a trend to where half the cake is themed (such as super heroes, Star Wars, or Lord of the Rings), while the other half is traditional elegance. “The sky is the limit as to what you can do!” ​

Sculpture Cakes

And because of the ingenuity of these cakes, they make for amazing “grooms cakes”. A way to incorporate one partners or the couple’s style or love into the wedding in a fun way.

Sculptured cakes are an engineering marvel. Materials used depend on the design, how much cake is to be served, climate, and even the venue. Temperature is a huge consideration. “In Sacramento I used a buttercream frosting filling. But in Phoenix I have to use ganache for the same effect,” Rebecca explained. She said using styrofoam and wood to build the structure makes the cake more stable and cuts down the cost. The cake density is also a critical consideration. “Regular box cakes just don’t work,” she said. “You need solid crumb that is firm enough to carve.” To the reverse, some cakes, such as mud or sponge cake, can be too moist. Rebecca has come up with her own recipe to get that perfect consistency. Chocolate and white cakes are still the favorite flavors, but Rebecca’s favorite is lemon cake with raspberry buttercream frosting.